Carve the Mark Review
Carve the Mark is the first book in the series by Veronica Roth, and is sci-fi/fantasy.
"In a galaxy powered by the current, everyone has a gift.
Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s current gift gives her pain and power — something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.
Akos is the son of a farmer and an oracle from the frozen nation-planet of Thuvhe. Protected by his unusual currentgift, Akos is generous in spirit, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get this brother out alive — no matter what the cost.
Then Akos is thrust into Cyra's world, and the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. Will they help each other to survive, or will they destroy one another?Carve the Mark is Veronica Roth's stunning portrayal of the power of friendship — and love — in a galaxy filled with unexpected gifts."-Goodreads
When the synopsis for Carve the Mark came out and I read it, it sounded interesting but I didn't care to read it. Then I got it as a gift, reread the back, and figured I'd give it a try. I'm glad I did, as it was different from other science fiction/fantasy I had heard of. Since I either seem to like a sci-fi book or I don't, that may have been why I was hesitant to pick it up, but the way Roth crafted their world and the characters drew me in and discover what would happen, especially once situations started heating up.
One thing I noticed was that Akos' POV were all in third person, while Cyra's were in first. I was able to experience what they both were feeling, but Cyra's felt more personal and I feel like I came away with more understanding for her than Akos. Roth may have had a reason why she did that, but after I noticed it I recognized the difference in the chapters more clearly. Despite this, I wanted to rally with both of them, defend both of them, and sometimes found myself not knowing who to side with. When Isae came onto the scene, I could almost tell right away I wasn't going to like her because of her disposition towards them. All of the main characters and several side characters had a depth to them that gave more depth to the story.
She's good about presenting you with the information you need to understand their world, but I felt like some of it got repeated when it didn't need to be, like she forgot she told the reader and kept bringing it up, and then I found myself rolling my eyes. Good every now and then, like when there's been thirty chapters in between, not so much five chapters later. However, I am thankful that the political system, economy, currentgifts, etc. were explained thoroughly. Some of the technology she dreamed up impressed me on top of all the different gifts that can manifest themselves.
I'm interested to see where Roth takes Cyra, Akos, and the others. I probably won't read the second book anytime soon (I already have a whole list I want to read first), I would like to read it someday to dive back into their world of rebellion, and redemption.
Rating:
"In a galaxy powered by the current, everyone has a gift.Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s current gift gives her pain and power — something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.
Akos is the son of a farmer and an oracle from the frozen nation-planet of Thuvhe. Protected by his unusual currentgift, Akos is generous in spirit, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get this brother out alive — no matter what the cost.
Then Akos is thrust into Cyra's world, and the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. Will they help each other to survive, or will they destroy one another?Carve the Mark is Veronica Roth's stunning portrayal of the power of friendship — and love — in a galaxy filled with unexpected gifts."-Goodreads
When the synopsis for Carve the Mark came out and I read it, it sounded interesting but I didn't care to read it. Then I got it as a gift, reread the back, and figured I'd give it a try. I'm glad I did, as it was different from other science fiction/fantasy I had heard of. Since I either seem to like a sci-fi book or I don't, that may have been why I was hesitant to pick it up, but the way Roth crafted their world and the characters drew me in and discover what would happen, especially once situations started heating up.
One thing I noticed was that Akos' POV were all in third person, while Cyra's were in first. I was able to experience what they both were feeling, but Cyra's felt more personal and I feel like I came away with more understanding for her than Akos. Roth may have had a reason why she did that, but after I noticed it I recognized the difference in the chapters more clearly. Despite this, I wanted to rally with both of them, defend both of them, and sometimes found myself not knowing who to side with. When Isae came onto the scene, I could almost tell right away I wasn't going to like her because of her disposition towards them. All of the main characters and several side characters had a depth to them that gave more depth to the story.
"'It's hard to know what's right in this life,' she said. 'We do what we can. But what we really need is mercy.'"
She's good about presenting you with the information you need to understand their world, but I felt like some of it got repeated when it didn't need to be, like she forgot she told the reader and kept bringing it up, and then I found myself rolling my eyes. Good every now and then, like when there's been thirty chapters in between, not so much five chapters later. However, I am thankful that the political system, economy, currentgifts, etc. were explained thoroughly. Some of the technology she dreamed up impressed me on top of all the different gifts that can manifest themselves.
I'm interested to see where Roth takes Cyra, Akos, and the others. I probably won't read the second book anytime soon (I already have a whole list I want to read first), I would like to read it someday to dive back into their world of rebellion, and redemption.
Rating:
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